A couple of heroes of the 2005 postseason, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras, were acquired by NL West teams yesterday. Let's round up reaction links.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports likes the stability Garland provides the Dodgers, and wonders if they should exercise his $10MM option for 2010. The Rockies and Rangers both had interest in Garland, who turns 30 this month. His contract states that he cannot be offered arbitration if he's a Type A free agent, but that's irrelevant since Garland is currently battling just for Type B status. ESPN's Buster Olney says the D'Backs are paying the entire freight for Garland, so the Dodgers will give up a decent player (we don't know who yet).
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies acquired Contreras as a reaction to Aaron Cook's injury. Contreras was the consolation prize after the Rox were unable to meet the D'Backs' demands for Garland. The Sox will pay most of Contreras' remaining $2.7MM, compelling the Rockies to send pitching prospect Brandon Hynick to Chicago. Hynick talked to Jack Etkin of Inside The Rockies about the trade. Baseball America says he profiles as a back of the rotation innings eater, in their latest Handbook.
- How do you rank the recent NL West rotation additions, weighing these two moves and the Giants' signing of Brad Penny? Most folks would probably be inclined to say Garland, Penny, Contreras, but in one month's time anything can happen. All three pitchers have free agency as extra motivation.
